Google-Funded Badware Coalition Forms

Web search powerhouse Google has joined with Sun Microsystems to fund a new anti-spyware coalition that is on tap to launch on Jan. 25, according to information reaching eWEEK.

The nonprofit group is setting up shop at StopBadware.org to help computer users deal with the scourge from adware, spyware, rootkits and other malware threats.

Sources say the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School will run the operations of the coalition with help from Consumer Reports WebWatch, a consumer advocacy group.

Vint Cerf, the renowned technologist who was recently hired as chief Internet evangelist at Google, is on board as an adviser to the coalition.

Former ICANN board chairman Esther Dyson, who publishes the influential Release 1.0 newsletter, is also involved.

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Google officials did not respond to requests for comment.

A two-word note on the StopBadware.org site, which is registered to Google, said simply: "Coming tomorrow!"

A source said the coalition will complement the work on the Washington, D.C.-based AntiSpyware Coalition to help police the Internet for Web sites that trick users into downloading spyware and other malicious programs under the guise of providing a free service.

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